Chapter 1363: Double Joy

The cave dwelling was tranquil.

The process of giving sermons at Qingyang Temple was Qin Sang's way of clarifying his own cultivation path, preparing thoroughly for this secluded cultivation.

Qin Sang focused solely on his cultivation, free from distractions. While refining medicinal energy, he would periodically pause to experience the soul phantoms. The Corpse Flower Blood Amber and Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet complemented each other. Even when he encountered bottlenecks, they didn't pose significant trouble. Qin Sang's progress was remarkably swift.

Thirty-five years passed in a flash.

The cultivation world of Beichen Realm had been unusually stable for such a long time. The Minor Cold Domain, Heavenly Demon Mound, Heaven's Path Alliance, Sin Abyss, and the Desert all recognized the Beichen Alliance. Even minor frictions between various factions could be properly resolved through the Beichen Alliance's mediation.

The most crucial reason was that all the Nascent Soul cultivators had personally witnessed the ascension phenomenon, and their sights were no longer limited to the small confines of the Beichen Realm, but now looked beyond the storm to a vaster world! In comparison, all their past ambitions and entangled interests seemed utterly ridiculous.

The key to ascension lay in the Guiding Platform!

All Nascent Soul Patriarchs were busy. Some, like Qin Sang, were devoted to cultivating. After all, if one couldn't become a Grand Cultivator, finding the Guiding Platform would be futile.

Others believed that circumstances were unpredictable and couldn't be generalized. If a Guiding Platform could be found, perhaps there would be more favorable conditions for ascension than through Ziwei Palace, possibly with lower cultivation requirements for ascendants. They jointly explored forbidden lands and secret realms within the domain, unearthing ancient texts treasured by sects, notes left by predecessors, and widely circulated legends. Even if it was just a fleeting rumor, they tirelessly verified it. In this process, indeed, hidden secret realms were discovered, and cultivators who explored the forbidden lands reaped considerable rewards. Unfortunately, none were related to the Guiding Platform.

The most eye-catching were the Ancient Immortal Battlefield and the Abyssal Ruins. True Lord Canghong led people to explore the Abyssal Ruins for decades. It was unclear whether they concealed something or truly found nothing, as the reported news was not satisfactory.

The Ancient Immortal Battlefield was of paramount importance. It was discussed at every Beichen Alliance meeting. Periodically, some Nascent Soul cultivators would venture deep into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield together. When some invited Qin Sang, Jingyu and Li Yufu always turned them away. Spiritual tides were ceaseless, and new secret realms occasionally emerged, though none were comparable to Ziwei Palace. However, they always managed to gain something; even if they didn't find the Guiding Platform, they wouldn't return empty-handed.

After the grand ceremony of establishing the sect, although Qin Sang maintained a low profile, his and Qingyang Temple's status did not diminish but instead increased. Shaohua Mountain and Shangyuan Serene Palace looked to Qin Sang for leadership and supported Qingyang Temple, effectively turning the entire northern shore of YunCang Great Lake into Qingyang Temple's domain.

The sect with the best relationship with Qingyang Temple was, surprisingly, the Ethereal Spirit Sect. Jiang Xue repeatedly brought the Han family head to visit, demonstrating closeness. Taiyi Pill Sect and Chitan were wary and dared not press on, allowing Jiang Xue to gain a firm footing.

The Heavenly Demon Mound, with its Thousand Mountain Bamboo Sea, was closely allied with Qingyang Temple. Among the demonic path, Xiang Qing actively sought good relations. Among rogue cultivators, due to Qing Jun's connection, the Yinshan Pass City Lord personally attended the ceremony, showing goodwill towards Qin Sang. Qin Sang's prestige within the Heaven's Path Alliance was self-evident. The Primordial Mirage Sect, having moved to the Heaven's Path Plateau, thrived. As a result, no one dared to infringe upon their interests in the grasslands. In the desert, Qin Sang had saved Lu Boyuan's life. Except for their somewhat strained relationship with the Sin Abyss, Qin Sang and his Qingyang Temple had become a formidable force in the Beichen Realm, holding a pivotal position!

Tan Yien was appointed General Steward and devoted himself entirely to the sect. Core disciples like Shangguan Lifeng, Li Yufu, and Aunt Mei diligently cultivated, each making significant progress. Qingyang Temple was flourishing. In just a few decades, it had already established the prestige befitting a renowned major sect.

Yet, Qin Sang paid no mind to any of this. For thirty-five years, he had not left Peach Blossom Valley a single step. Even when fellow Nascent Soul cultivators visited, he did not show himself. Only Li Yufu and Jingyu had entered once each during this time.

That evening, Peach Blossom Valley, unusually, opened its restrictions.

In front of Peach Blossom Valley, Tan Yien seemed to have encountered something urgent. As the renowned General Steward of Qingyang Temple, Tan Yien usually possessed a composed demeanor, remaining neither humble nor arrogant even when facing Nascent Soul Patriarchs. Yet, at this moment, he was restless, pacing back and forth outside. He occasionally looked towards Peach Blossom Valley, his expression anxious, but without Qin Sang's permission, he dared not trespass.

The white cat stood in front of Tan Yien, its head slightly tilted, its gaze wary, fearing the fellow might impulsively barge in and disturb its master.

"How much longer until Martial Uncle exits seclusion?" Tan Yien had already asked several times.

The white cat still gave the same reply, huffing softly, "Half a year ago, Master gave orders that no matter what, he was not to be disturbed. Even if the sky falls, you cannot go in!"

Tan Yien's face fell, "This matter was personally attended to by Master..." But seeing the white cat's unyielding attitude, Tan Yien had no choice but to give up. He sighed and found a rock to sit cross-legged on. The white cat also didn't go back, instead lying at the valley entrance.

Two months passed in a blink.

The mist in Peach Blossom Valley suddenly rippled slightly, and a person walked out from within – it was Qin Sang! Qin Sang was still clad in a Taoist robe, his demeanor natural, his aura ethereal.

"Master..." The white cat was the first to see Qin Sang. It jumped up, pointing at Tan Yien, "He..."

"I already know." Qin Sang nodded, looked at Tan Yien, who had hastily risen to bow, and asked in a low voice, "What happened outside that caused such a panic?"

Hearing the displeasure in Qin Sang's tone, Tan Yien's heart jolted. He secretly regretted where his years of composure cultivation had gone, then took a deep breath and said, "Martial Uncle, Senior Brother Li and the others were traveling in the desert. After searching for many years, they finally made a discovery! They sent word back recently, and it concerns my father!"

"Oh?" A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qin Sang's mouth. "I didn't expect such a double blessing! Where is Li Yufu?" He had asked Li Yufu and the others to frequent the desert to search for Vajra Fruits, but unexpectedly, they stumbled upon something else first – Tan Hao. Qin Sang was indeed very curious about the movements of Tan Hao and the mysterious person. He had asked Lu Boyuan to keep an eye out, but no similar individuals had been found.

Tan Yien hastily took out a communication talisman from his robes and respectfully said, "Reportedly, Aunt Mei was the first to find signs. Senior Brother Li was on the Heaven's Path Plateau at the time and rushed over immediately after receiving the news."

Qin Sang took the talisman and scanned it with his divine sense, feeling a bit surprised. The place where Aunt Mei found traces was at the southernmost tip of the Great Beichen Desert, also the southernmost point of the Beichen Realm – on an island in the sea! She suspected that Tan Hao had once been there. But Qin Sang had previously instructed them to be careful, so Aunt Mei dared not investigate further. Upon discovering the traces, she immediately sent a message back, requesting Qin Sang's decision.

"It was there, of all places!" Qin Sang pondered for a moment. "First, come back to the sect with me to check." With that, his figure flickered, and he flew away first.

Tan Yien collected himself, about to give chase, when he suddenly recalled what Qin Sang had just said, and a puzzled expression crossed his face. "Double blessing? What other good news is there?" Before his words had fully fallen, Tan Yien's face froze. He exchanged a glance with the white cat, and both were filled with wild joy, their eyes revealing fervor and reverence.